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LA was definitely a breath of fresh air.
(Well, okay, not “fresh air” but let’s just go with the analogy, no one ever said, “ahhh, what a refreshing breath of smog!” besides me.)

Here’s one thing I don’t get: the LA hate. It seems to me that so many people, Californians and otherwise, hold so much resentment towards that city. And I think some people are just jealous. I’m jealous, in a lot of ways. Especially when I know I was on track to make a career there and know so many amazing people who reside in the area. I think it is a very special, surreal place. There is no other metropolis like it. I dare one person to name another city that is similar. Seattle and Portland? Pretty similar. You get what I’m saying.

If I were a cheesy asshole, I would say “oh and it looks like I brought the sunshine with me!” because finally Seattle is sunny and warm. But I am not a cheesy asshole, therefore I will not say that. I will just say, I am very thankful about this, it made returning to regular life back in Washington a much easier transition (everyone knows how much I detest cold weather, right?). If I had landed and it was rainy and dismal like it has been all summer, I might have booked the first ticket back… turns out I just get to feel bummed I’m back from vacation and go run around Greenlake in 80 degree weather. I can suck it up in this scenario.

The funny thing is, I never really DO anything when I visit California. When I lived in OC/San Diego, I feel like I always went on adventures and went exploring and found creative ways to entertain myself. Now when I head down to visit, I just party and drink and bar-hop and eat burritos and shop. It’s kind of sad. I told myself on this trip that I would go to Runyon Canyon, eat at Canter’s, patronize the Getty, finally visit the Elliott Smith mural (as referenced in my last post)… oh and speaking of promises I didn’t live up to from my last entry, I didn’t even eat at Pinks! What is wrong with me?! Too busy imbibing tequila, I guess. As usual. I will say that I got to visit and compare/contrast the LA Cha Cha… sorry, Seattle, it totally owns us. Their photobooth is in color and only $2, plus they serve Sparks! No contest. On the other hand, we had to wait in a massive line to get in, something foreign to me as a Seattle partier.

And I did get to hit up the heaven that is Yogurtland not once, but twice.

Celeb sightings? So glad you asked. Only the most obvious: Cee-lo (at Mel’s) and Janelle Monae (at the Beverly Center – and she was eating Yogurtland too!).

In conclusion: There were good and bad things about going. There were good and bad things about coming back. There is not one city that I feel I 100% belong in. I will never honestly be able to say, “oh SO glad to be back in my real home, Seattle!” and I know if I left here and returned to California for good, I would never be able to say “Thank God I ditched stupid Seattle, now I’m where I belong for certain!” This is not an epiphany. Every trip to LA, even a random party trip, I just have to handle the weird “life choices” emotions and know that time will take me in many unknown directions. Apparently at this point, it is taking me in the direction of Sparks and bad late-night Mexican food, and that is good enough for now.

Thank you to California and especially a few of its most incredible residents for a memorable holiday and escape.